Adebayor heading to African Nations Cup

Emmanuel Adebayor will compete at this month's African Nations Cup for Togo, his club Tottenham have confirmed.

Adebayor's participation in the continental tournament had been in doubt, with the striker suggesting last year that he would not play after a row over unpaid bonuses, team security and what he perceived to be a lack of professionalism from his national association.

However, the former Arsenal and Manchester City man has now decided he will compete for his country at the finals in South Africa, which run from January 19 to February 10.

Adebayor will miss at least three Tottenham matches while at the Nations Cup - at home to Manchester United and away to Norwich in the Premier League, and away to Leeds or Birmingham in the FA Cup. Should Togo make it all the way to the final, he would be absent for further games against West Brom and Newcastle.

The Spurs forward is the undisputed icon of the national team, and his presence will be a major boon for group stage matches against Tunisia, Algeria, and the opening fixture against Ivory Coast on January 22.

Andre Villas-Boas will be able to call on him for this Saturday's Premier League clash with QPR, after which he will fly out to South Africa.